Update: CHP reports Modesto-area fatal crash. 3 vehicles, 10 people, DUI involved
One person was killed and three suffered major injuries in a fiery, three-vehicle crash on Ladd Road north of Modesto on Saturday night, the California Highway Patrol reported. Six other people either were unhurt or suffered minor injuries in the collision, which the CHP believes was related to driving under the influence.
The crash occurred about 9:35 p.m. on Ladd just east of Tully Road. The area is near Salida Fire Station 13 and south of Del Rio.
When responders including the CHP arrived, they found one of the vehicles, a green 2026 Porsche coupe, engulfed in flames, blocking Ladd, according to a news release.
The driver, a 57-year-old Modesto man, was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, 38-year-old Manteca resident Jon Burgess, suffered major injuries and was airlifted to the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Both occupants were wearing their seat belts.
The driver of a black 2016 Ram pickup truck, Ismael Gonzalez, 27, from Manteca, suffered minor injuries. He had five passengers: a 14-year-old girl, a 42-year-old woman, a 16-year-old girl, a 26-year-old woman and a 2-year-old girl. All were properly restrained and were either uninjured or had minor injuries.
The driver of a white 2023 Mercedes SUV, 52-year-old Diana Ybarra of Oakdale, suffered major injuries. So did her passenger, Manuel Ybarra, 53, of Oakdale. Both were wearing their seatbelts and were taken to local hospitals.
The preliminary investigation determined the Porsche driver was traveling west on Ladd at high speed when he rear-ended the Ram. The Ram driver lost control and the pickup want off the north side of the road and overturned.
The Porsche continued southwest, into the eastbound lane, striking the Mercedes head-on. Shortly afterward, the Porsche caught fire. Accounts given on social media say passers-by got the Porsche passenger out of the car.
The roadway remained closed and motorists experienced delays for about two hours and 30 minutes while officers investigated. “Based on preliminary on-scene investigation, it is believed that alcohol may have been a factor in this crash,” the news release says.
This story was originally published June 28, 2026 at 8:48 AM with the headline "Update: CHP reports Modesto-area fatal crash. 3 vehicles, 10 people, DUI involved."
